Apple tested end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages exchanged between iPhone and Android users in the iOS 26.4 beta, but Apple made it clear the functionality was not going to launch in the iOS 26.4 update. E2EE for ‌RCS‌ was removed before iOS 26.4 was released, but the feature is back in the iOS 26.5 beta as Apple continues testing it. End-to-end encryption ensures that messages sent between devices cannot be intercepted and read by a third party. Right now, ‌RCS‌ messages sent between Android and iPhone users do not have E2EE, but ‌RCS‌ messages between Android users do. iMessages exchanged between iPhone users have always had end-to-end encryption.

Source: The Guardian March 31, 2026 09:54 UTC